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Government must answer 'serious questions' over economy, says Labour leader

Starmer said the UK is facing a "double whammy" - Getty Images Europe
Starmer said the UK is facing a "double whammy" - Getty Images Europe

The Government must answer "serious questions" about its pandemic strategy after the UK recorded the biggest drop in GDP on record, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The 20.4 per cent decline in the second quarter makes the UK the worst-performing economy in the G7.

Speaking in Wakefield, West Yorkshire today, the Labour leader said: "Nobody can avoid that fact that there was going to be an economic crisis as a result of the pandemic. We knew that. But we now find ourselves in a double whammy.

"We've got one of the worst death rates across Europe and now we're going to have one of the worst recessions. So serious questions have to be asked about the strategy the Government is adopting here. The United Kingdom should not be in this position."

He added: "You have to ask yourself the question 'why on earth is the Government going so wrong on this'? The Government needs to accept responsibility and start answering questions."

Follow the latest updates below.


03:00 PM

That's it for another day...

It's been another hot day in Westminster, although there are rainclouds on the horizon - for some, a rather obvious metaphor for the bleak GDP figures published today. 

Labour certainly seem to think so, with Sir Keir Starmer and his shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds warning of a double whammy if the Government doesn't change approach before the end of furlough in October. 

The bigger clouds could well be forming over the country's students, who are set to receive their A-level results tomorrow after an 11th hour change to the grading assessment system being used in place of exams. Nick Gibb, the schools minister, had to fend off criticism over the confusion this has all caused and questions remain about what it means for this year's cohort, as well as the years either side. We will get a clearer sense of that in the morning. 

If it's still hot where you are, perhaps you're considering tucking into some ice cream. But it seems likely that 85 per cent of you won't be opting for Ben & Jerry's after the brand got into a war of words with the Government over its handling of the migrant crisis. That's how many think the Unilever business are virtue-signalling hypocrites, according to our daily poll.

I'll be back from 8am tomorrow to bring you all the latest from Westminster and beyond.  


02:52 PM

Philip Johnston: Our ‘stay safe’ society treats grown adults like accident-prone children

When did the Met Office take it upon itself to become the national nag, telling us that direct exposure to the sun can burn and hot weather is uncomfortable at night “so sleep under a sheet”? How did mankind persevere for millennia without colour-coded heat-health and UV warnings? 

It is not that these observations are untrue; but we already know them to be true and do not need to be constantly reminded by a bunch of semi-official, self-appointed fusspots. 

But, as Philip Johnston argues, the gradual infantilisation of society that is exemplified by weather warnings helps explain the over-reaction to the coronavirus


02:36 PM

Rosa Prince: Trump's attack on Kamala Harris shows he's already running scared

A text message announcing Joe Biden’s choice of White House running mate had only just pinged on his supporters’ phones, when Donald Trump fired off his first Tweet attacking her.

The form that message took – a slickly produced video describing her as a “phony” and creature of the “radical left” - perhaps indicates just how worried the President is about his chances of winning re-election now Senator Kamala Harris has joined the Democratic ticket.

If successful in November, the 55-year-old former prosecutor from California would become the first black woman to serve as Vice President of the United States, and would be well-positioned to step up to the presidency itself four years later.

Rosa Prince analyses the immediate impact of her addition to the ticket here. 


02:15 PM

Exam regulator Ofqual 'working urgently' on Government's assessment change

England's exams regulator has said it is "working urgently" to set out what evidence will be needed to ensure mock exam results can be part of an appeal.

The changes were announced overnight by the Government, just a few hours before students are due to receive their A-levels tomorrow. However critics have warned that mocks are not sufficiently standardised to be used as a basis. 

A statement from Ofqual said: "We understand why the Government has wanted to provide some additional assurance for students, by confirming that evidence from valid mock exams can be considered as part of an appeal.

"We are working urgently to operationalise this as fairly as possible and to determine what standards of evidence will be required for the appeal. We will provide more detail early next week.

"We will continue to do everything possible to ensure students achieve grades that are as fair as possible in the circumstances this summer."


02:02 PM

Boris Johnson attacked over 'anti-devolution policy'

Boris Johnson has been accused of  "running a clear and deliberate anti-devolution policy" by a member of the Scottish government.

Mike Russell, Scotland's constitution secretary, said proposals to establish a new internal market between the four nations at the end of the Brexit transition period could see "every devolved power could be undermined" by handing the UK Government "a veto on everything".

He told MSPs: "This is an outrageous power grab and it is a major weakening of devolution, and it should not be permitted to take place.

"It reveals completely the agenda of the current UK Government, which is hostile to devolution and hostile particularly to Wales and Scotland for exercising their rights under devolution."

Mr Russell suggested policies enacted by devolved governments could be rejected by Westminster, adding: "If that is not contrary to the spirit of devolution, I don't know what is."

He also claimed that relations between the UK and Scottish Governments had declined since "the advent of the Johnson administration, which I think is running a clear and deliberate anti-devolution policy."


01:48 PM

Further six people die with coronavirus in English hospitals

A further six people, who tested positive for coronavirus have died in English hospitals, with four regions recording no fatalities at all. 

There was one death registered in both North East & Yorkshire and the South East, and four in the North West, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,431.

Patients were aged between 57 and 96 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.


01:44 PM

Further five people die with coronavirus in Wales

A further five people who tested positive for coronavirus in Wales have died, bringing the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,586.

Public Health Wales said the total number of cases in the country increased by eight, bringing the revised total of confirmed cases to 17,484.


01:35 PM

Trump 'least likely incumbent to win second term', says Betfair

US President Donald Trump is the least likely incumbent to secure a second term, according to betting site Betfair Exchange.

After the Democrat candidate picked Kamala Harris as his running mate, Joe Biden was quoted at 4/6, making him an odds-on favourite to beat outsider Donald Trump (13/8).

In percentage terms, there's now just a 38 per cent chance of a Trump victory, this comes despite a slight upturn in his prospects since the start of July.

Betfair Exchange spokesperson Darren Hughes said: "With both tickets now confirmed the stage is set and it's Biden who commands a healthy lead over Trump. 

"Despite an upturn from his rock-bottom low earlier this summer, the President still boasts the unenviable record of being the least likely incumbent to win a second term in political betting history and he has a lot of work to do between now and November to close the gap."


01:27 PM

Jeremy Warner: The end of furlough will be the moment of truth for jobs

Without the Government’s various income and job support schemes, the economic situation would look truly catastrophic.

But currently we live in a kind of surreal dreamland where deep recession coexists with an unemployment rate that officially still stands at less than four per cent - one of the lowest rates ever. If this statistic seems to give reason for hope, think again. 

As Jeremy Warner writes, we are currently like the hapless cartoon character, Wile E. Coyote, who keeps running long after he has left the edge of the cliff, apparently oblivious to the abyss beneath.


01:13 PM

Have your say on: Ben & Jerry's words of war on migration

Last night ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's put the cat among the pigeons by launching an attack on the Government over its handling of the migrant crisis. 

The Unilever-owned business tweeted Priti Patel, saying: "We think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture... People wouldn’t make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice. The UK hasn’t resettled any refugees since March, but wars and violence continue. What we need is more safe and legal routes."

But a Home Office source hit back, saying the Home Secretary was working "day and night" to find a solution,  saying she was relaxed about "upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food". 

Is there room for corporations to have their say on policy? Or is this, as James Cleverly said, "statistically inaccurate virtue signalling"? Have your say in the poll below:


01:00 PM

UK not 'match fit' for post-Brexit trade talks, claims New Zealand

New Zealand has complained about the lack of progress in trade talks with the UK, claiming the Government was not "match fit" for the negotiations.

Winston Peters, New Zealand's deputy prime minister, said he was "very frustrated" with the progress made on a post-Brexit deal, arguing the long-time membership of the EU meant the UK was not ready to engage properly in negotiations once it was able to pursue independent agreements.

"We've had to look offshore for a long time and so we are seriously match fit when it comes to that, in a way that I don't believe that the UK is, because the UK has been locked up in the EU all these years," he said.

"They've never had a test, so to speak. It's like coming into an Ashes contest when you haven't played for 30 years - it's the same thing in the UK when it comes to this."

He suggested that Theresa May's government had allowed "inertia" to set in while focused on Brexit.

"Where you have a decision to leave the EU and you don't have leading the exiting party, a prime minister committed to the departure it's somewhat predictable that inertia would set in. And that's what we've been witnessing from our part of the world until Boris (Johnson) turned up."

A second round of trade talks with New Zealand is planned for October after initial negotiations in July.


12:45 PM

Lucy Dunn: My son's been robbed of his future - the Government's plan is nothing but an almighty mess

News last night that the government is launching last-minute changes to this year’s grading process has all the hallmarks of ‘yet another knee jerk reaction’, Lucy Dunn believes. 

Let's put aside the fact that the standardisation model appears not to have worked. Let’s put aside the fact that, by their nature, mock exams vary from school to school, subject to subject, so how can you judge a grade? Let’s put aside that teachers' grades would be a far more accurate reflection of a pupil’s performance - they know them best, after all.

And let’s put aside that this is a clear sign that the Government is not confident in their grading system and only muddies a very muddy water more.

Instead, let’s look at the children, whose lives have been messed around with enough this summer. 


12:33 PM

Aberdeen to remain under lockdown for another week

Lockdown measures enforced in Aberdeen last week after an outbreak in the city will remain in place for at least another week, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

There have now been 177 confirmed cases linked to the coronavirus outbreak in the city, with 940 people contact-traced.

Ms Sturgeon said at First Minister's Questions on Wednesday that Aberdeen City Council and Police Scotland were involved in the decision to continue the local lockdown measures.

The First Minister thanked people in Aberdeen after she said police reported a high level of compliance with the additional lockdown measures.

She said: "I know people in Aberdeen, who of course are today dealing with severe weather as well as Covid, will be disappointed with this decision but I want to thank them for complying so well with the measures that we put in place last week."

The First Minister added there is not yet a need to place extra restrictions on Aberdeenshire county as a whole.

"I want to stress that nobody wants these restrictions to be in place for longer than is necessary," she said.


12:18 PM

Labour leader attacks 'complete fiasco' over 11th hour change to exams assessment

The Government's 11th hour changes to exams assessment is "a complete fiasco", Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said, saying the problem has been "weeks or months in the coming".

Speaking in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Sir Keir said: "It's shambolic. It's hours to go before the results. The problem is obvious and it's been sitting there for weeks or months.

He added: "To have an 11th-hour decision that's caused widespread chaos amongst teachers I have been speaking to, families and young people - it smacks of incompetence...And risks robbing them of their future."

He called for individual students to be able to appeal the grading, saying the idea of using mocks was "deeply flawed", adding: "It's not going to work, it's not going to wash."

The Labour leader said: "The cause for concern here is that, if this is anything like Scotland, it will be the more deprived areas where the grades are down graded. And that's simply not acceptable."


12:14 PM

Leaders across the spectrum react to Aberdeen train derailment

Leaders from across the political spectrum have said they are thinking of those caught up in the Aberdeen train derailment, which has been declared a serious incident. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene."

Speaking during a visit to West Yorkshire, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious incident in Aberdeenshire.

"Thank you to all the emergency services."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "This is an extremely serious incident. I’ve had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved."


12:00 PM

Government should make the most of low interest rates to 'push up demand', says Labour

Labour has said the Government must make the most of the low interest rates to "push up demand" and keep people in work. 

Asked if the Government should borrow more in light of today's GDP figures, Anneliese Dodds, the shadow chancellor, told Sky News: "The critical thing now for the Government to do is focus on growing the economy.

"While we are in low interest rate environment, if we see a dampening down of demand, if we don't see it returning to level that it really needs to be then ultimately the fiscal task for any government is going to be much bigger.

"That has got to be focus of the Government now - really trying to push up demand, to maintain confidence, to keep people in work."


11:52 AM

UK in 'sectoral recession', Labour claims

Labour has warned that the UK is "behind" other countries in terms of recovery, using today's dire GDP figures to press the case for the "targeted" support once furlough ends in October. 

Anneliese Dodds, the shadow chancellor, told Sky News the UK was suffering from "a sectoral recession" that required a change from the blanket approach taken so far. 

She said:"We are having it appears deeper recession than every other EU country and indeed also other G7 countries.

"Just as we have been hit extremely hard in health terms, with worst excess deaths in Europe, it seems like we are having one of the deepest recessions as well. 

Of particular concern, she said, was that "we have not seen strong enough bounce back to cancel enough of that negative impact of the lockdown, a necessary lockdown". 

"We are not bouncing back as strongly as other countries... we need to take a different approach", she added


11:41 AM

Schools minister defends 11th hour change to A-level grading insisting there is 'no confusion'

A Government minister has defended the 11th-hour change to exam assessment, saying it is designed to protect the students "at the edges".

Nick Gibb, the schools minister, this morning said it was "no coincidence" that the changes had come after Scotland's government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over its exam debacle. 

"We did look at what happened in Scotland. We were worried about that. We are not changing the fundamental system here as they are in Scotland," he told BBC Breakfast.

Mr Gibb insisted that the system was not in "confusion" and refused to apologise for the late changes.

"There is no confusion. We have been very clear from the very beginning. We had to have a system in place to award qualifications to young people given that we had cancelled the exams," he said.

But Labour's shadow education secretary Kate Green was highly critical of the changes announced, saying the system is "not fit for purpose" and that the solution is "not really strong enough". 

She told BBC Breakfast: "This is a chaotic situation, and very worrying for students the day before they get their results...this 11th hour changing of the system is not welcome."


11:36 AM

Grant Shapps pledges 'every support' after Aberdeen train derailment

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said the UK Government "will provide every support" to those caught up in the train derailment in Aberdeen. 

He tweeted that he had held an urgent meeting with Network Rail, adding that British Transport Police and Network Rail are on location, along with rail workers who were nearby. Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has declared a major incident."

"The UK Government will provide every support," he added. "My thoughts are with those involved and their families."

He has also spoken with local MP Andrew Bowie.


11:31 AM

Government must answer 'serious questions' after UK posts biggest economic drop in G7, says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government must answer "serious questions" about its pandemic strategy, after the UK recorded the biggest drop in GDP on record. 

The 20.4 per cent decline in the second quarter makes the UK the worst-performing economy in the G7.

Speaking in Wakefield, West Yorkshire the Labour leader said: "Nobody can avoid that fact that there was going to be an economic crisis as a result of the pandemic. We knew that. But we now find ourselves in a double whammy.

"We've got one of the worst death rates across Europe and now we're going to have one of the worst recessions. So serious questions have to be asked about the strategy the Government is adopting here. The United Kingdom should not be in this position."

He added: "You have to ask yourself the question 'why on earth is the Government going so wrong on this'? The Government needs to accept responsibility and start answering questions."


11:25 AM

Have your say on: Ben & Jerry's migrant row

Chris Philp has told Ben & Jerry's to "stick to ice cream" after they tweeted about migrant crossings.

The  immigration minister travelled to Paris on Tuesday to seek stronger enforcement measures as Border Force continued to deal with crossings along the south coast of the UK.

The Unilever-owned business tweeted Priti Patel, saying: "We think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture... People wouldn’t make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice."

But Mr Philp said: "They’re “fleeing” France, which is safe, civilised & has a good asylum system."

 Today's poll is on this very point - if you haven't already, have your say below:


11:02 AM

Scottish Conservatives leader praises 'swift response' to Aberdeen train derailment

Douglas Ross, the new leader of the Scottish Tories, has praised emergency services " for their swift response" after a train derailed just outside Aberdeen. 

It came off the tracks  near Stonehaven on the Dundee-Aberdeen line just before 10am, following a night of flash flooding.

There are no reports of any injuries, however a number of ambulances, including a helicopter, are on the scene, alongside police and fire engines.


10:51 AM

Who is Kamala Harris - and has Joe Biden played a blinder, or played it safe?

"She was my No 1 pick.” That was how Donald Trump greeted the news that Kamala Harris had been selected as Joe Biden’s vice presidential nominee. But, if there was glee at the decision, the president’s tone did not display it. 

Every politician has weaknesses and Ms Harris is no different. Within minutes the Trump campaign’s spin operation was in effect, painting the Californian senator as a “radical” and “extreme” left-winger out of touch with America. 

But Ben Riley-Smith argues that in reality Mr Biden has played it safe, even while making history by picking the first ever woman of colour for a presidential ticket. 


10:42 AM

Make appeals and re-sits free for students, Liberal Democrats demand

Students must be allowed to appeal or re-sit their exams results without a fee, to ensure the poorest pupils are not disadvantaged, the Liberal Democrats have said. 

Overnight the Government announced an 11th hour change to the way grades will be assessed this year, with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson unveiling a "triple lock" plan that will let students revert to their mock grades on Thursday if their estimated results are low.

But education spokesperson Layla Moran said young people were still concerned about losing out because of "a botched grading system".

She said: "Given that there is no consistent approach to mock examinations across schools, this could be more of a barrier than a benefit for many pupils... Pupils must have the chance to appeal their grades directly at no cost, and to present evidence that reflects their performance and progress to date. Ministers must also be crystal clear about how they will enable pupils who wish to re-sit, again at no cost."


10:33 AM

Met Police chief blasts 'trial by social media' after Labour MP claims she was racially profiled

A senior Met Police official has attacked the "trial by social media" faced by officers who stopped a car carrying a Labour MP.

Dawn Butler, who ran unsuccessfully to be deputy leader of the party, accused the force of racial profiling after the stop on Sunday. 

But deputy commissioner Sir Steve House said the officers "acted professionally and politely", stressing there are "existing, appropriate and proportionate processes" for complaints.

Sir Steve said: "The increasingly routine trial by social media is unfair and damaging to individual officers and has the potential to undermine the role our communities need us to do to protect them, and keep them safe from violence."

Sir Steve went on to condemn "the abuse that some on social media have directed" at Ms Butler since she raised her concerns. 


10:22 AM

Europe's economic winners and losers from the Covid crisis

No economy will escape the Covid crisis unscathed but a stark divide is emerging between Europe's relative winners and its big losers. 

Almost every European economy smashed records for plunges in GDP during a lockdown-hit second quarter, but some risk slipping into a longer, more painful downturn.

Here are the economic winners and losers from the pandemic in Europe.


10:14 AM

How Britain's 2020 recession compares with the three most recent

V-shaped? L-shaped? W-shaped? The jury is still out on exactly how the economy is going to recover from the effects of the recession brought about by the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

But one thing is certain: the 20.4 per cent drop in GDP announced this morning makes it the deepest recession in UK history. 

We look back at some of the most recent comparisons here.


09:57 AM

Government urged to act on young people's job prospects over concerns for mental health

Young people could suffer long-term damage to their wellbeing because of unemployment, a report has warned.

The Prince's Trust said its research suggested a link between youth unemployment and poor mental health.

A survey of more than 2,100 people aged 16 to 25 found that even before the coronavirus pandemic, the overall wellbeing of young people had fallen to its lowest level in the study's 11-year history.

One in four of those questioned said they always or often felt hopeless, rising to almost half of those not in work, education or training.

Jonathan Townsend, chief executive of the Prince's Trust, said: "These findings are more poignant than ever in the face of the current economic crisis and rising joblessness.

"The events of recent months mean millions of young people all over the UK now face the prospect of unemployment, as well as the lasting damage this can have on their wellbeing and future opportunities.

"If we don't act now, we risk a lost generation of young people destined for long-term joblessness, mental health problems and poverty."


09:49 AM

Matthew Lynn: The real lockdown nightmare hasn't even begun

The weather is baking. The stock market is buoyant. Up to a third of the workforce remain on furlough, paid to stay at home. Many of the rest of us have given up the daily commute and can keep the boss happy with half an hour on Zoom instead of eight in the office. Ten million of us even took up the Chancellor’s offer of half price pizza, or even dinner at The Ivy, last week. It is hard to know how life could get any better.  

In truth, this is crazy. Over the course of this long, strange summer, we have created a dreamland economy, where work can be shelved, bills don’t have to be paid, and jobs can last forever, regardless of whether anyone is actually producing anything.

But, argues Matthew Lynn, like all dreams, we will wake up very soon – and that is when it will turn into a nightmare.


09:35 AM

Watch: Rishi Sunak says 'hard times are here'

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has admitted that "hard times are here" as the UK crashes into a deep recession after the worst quarterly fall in output since records began.

Britain’s economy contracted by 20.4 per cent during the second quarter, leaving it as the world’s worst-hit major economy.

Output continued to recover during June, but wasn’t enough to counteract a plunge that put GDP back at levels last seen in 2003. 

Watch Mr Sunak's reaction below.


09:32 AM

Covid-19 blurring the Brexit divide as voters return to 'natural state', research suggests

The pandemic is bringing a close to the Brexit era of extreme political divides, according to new research published today by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).  

Coronavirus has shifted perceptions across the political spectrum, with 54 per cent of all respondents saying their opinion of the UK government has worsened and only 18 per-cent say it has improved. Among Conservative voters themselves, slightly more say their opinion has worsened – 32 per-cent – than say it has improved – 30 per-cent.  

‘Red Wall’ voters who backed the Conservatives in December are already shifting back to opposition parties, with eight per cent of those who defected already returning to Labour.  

Founding director of ECFR, Mark Leonard, said: “This polling shows we may return to a “natural state” of familiar left-right, bread and butter politics, and pragmatic internationalism after a long  parenthesis from 2016 to 2020 where Brexit identities took over...

"This polling shows the first sign that Covid-19 could end up transforming perceptions of Government competence in the way that Black Wednesday transformed perceptions of conservative economic management in 1992, and opened the way for a political realignment in which Labour seized the agenda on both culture and the economy”


09:11 AM

UK's GDP hit because of disproportionate reliance on 'social activities', says Chancellor

The UK has been more affected by the lockdown than other equivalent countries because of the disproportionate reliance on "social activities", the Chancellor has said. 

Figures published this morning showed a historic 20.4 per cent drop in GDP during the second quarter of this year, the worst of any G7 country. 

Asked why the UK appeared to be taking a bigger hit than others, Rishi Sunak told Sky News: "The primary explanation is the composition of our economy.

"Social activities... comprise a much larger share of our economy than they do for most of our European comparison countries, so in a situation where you almost shut down those industries for almost three months it is unfortunately going to have an outsize impact on our economy."

But asked if it was a price worth paying, he said: "We took the decisions we did at the time we did to protect people s lives and suppress the spread of virus. Those were the right decisions. But it is also right now to safely reopen economy."

He noted that "difficult decisions do lie ahead for all of us but I want to reassure people that  nobody will be left without hope and opportunity". 


09:02 AM

Lib Dem MP calls on Chancellor to help those excluded from coronavirus support package

Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone, who chairs the all-parliamentary group (APPG) on the millions of people excluded from the Government's coronavirus rescue packages, asked to meet Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the wake of the GDP figures.

He tweeted: "Deeply disturbing news to wake up to this morning. It was inevitable that we would enter recession, but the scale of unemployment is quite something. RishiSunak if you can help ExcludedUK, that's at least 3m you are helping to put back into work."


08:50 AM

UK economy in 'new normal', says Chancellor

The UK economy is getting back to a "new normal, a safe normal" as lockdown eases, the Chancellor has insisted, following figures showing the UK is in the deepest recession in its history. 

ONS data published this morning showed Britain’s economy contracted by 20.4pc during the second quarter, leaving it as the world’s worst-hit major economy.

But Rishi Sunak stressed that the Government was focusing on looking ahead to the future. 

He said: "It's not a sustainable situation to have vast swathes of our economy essentially shut down. That's why we have been able to successfully reopen bits, and do it in a safe way. And as people get back to going shopping, or going out for a meal, or indeed getting back to their office, they will see that it's a new normal, it's a safe normal."

In response to reports the Government is considering a postponement of the annual autumn Budget he said: "We've said that we plan to have a fiscal event in the autumn and we're very much working towards that goal."


08:29 AM

Have your say on: Ben & Jerry's words of war

Last night ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's put the cat among the pigeons by launching an attack on the Government over its handling of the migrant crisis. 

The Unilever-owned business tweeted Priti Patel, saying: "We think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture... People wouldn’t make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice. The UK hasn’t resettled any refugees since March, but wars and violence continue. What we need is more safe and legal routes."

But a Home Office source hit back, saying the Home Secretary was working "day and night" to find a solution,  saying she was relaxed about "upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food". 

Is there room for corporations to have their say on policy? Or is this, as James Cleverly said, "statistically inaccurate virtue signalling"? Have your say in the poll below:


08:13 AM

Using mocks as basis for exam grading 'beggars belief', union claims

The Government's 11th hour move to allow students to base their exam results on mocks has been attacked by unions and school leaders. 

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the plan created potential for "massive inconsistency" as mock exams were not standardised and some students may not have taken them before schools closed in March.

The last-minute move to introduce them "beggars belief", he added. "The Government doesn't appear to understand how mock exams work. They aren't a set of exams which all conform to the same standards. The clue is in the name 'mock'," he said. "If the Government wanted to change the system it should have spent at least a few days discussing the options rather than rushing out a panicked and chaotic response."

Meanwhile Sir Jon Coles, the chief executive of United Learning and former director general of the Department for Education, told the Today programme: "Some schools use mocks as a way of giving pupils a kick up the backside, others use them as confidence-building exercise so having them at the same standard is not possible."


08:05 AM

Government urged to take 'bold' approach to tackle homelessness in economic crisis

A new approach on homelessness is needed to help people off the streets for good, according to a new report.

The Salvation Army said "amazing progress" had been made in recent months to help the homeless, but warned that the economic consequences of the Covid pandemic will increase rough sleeping and force families into expensive and unsuitable temporary accommodation.

Lorrita Johnson, the Salvation Army's director of homelessness services, said: "Bold government moves like the furlough scheme, temporary protection from eviction and emergency accommodation for rough sleepers saved lives and ensured thousands still had a home.

"However, our report demonstrates that if the Government mirrors the austerity approach it took during the last economic crisis, there will be dire consequences for rough sleepers, private renters and the economy as a whole.

"The only way to prevent a homelessness and rough sleeping crisis is to approach funding for homelessness services in the same way the Government funds physical infrastructure and invest for the future."


07:39 AM

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's goes to war with Government over migrant crisis

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has gone to war with the Government over the migrant crisis.

Last night the Unilever-owned business posted a Twitter thread criticising the handling of the situation, which has seen record high numbers of people crossing the Channel. 

Including Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, Ben & Jerry's said: "We think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture... People wouldn’t make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice. The UK hasn’t resettled any refugees since March, but wars and violence continue. What we need is more safe and legal routes."

But a Home Office source replied: "Priti is working day and night to bring an end to these small boat crossings, which are facilitated by international criminal gangs and are rightly of serious concern to the British people.

"If that means upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food, then so be it."

James Cleverly, the foreign minister and former party chairman, got stuck in himself with characteristic gusto.


07:22 AM

V-shaped recovery 'remote' unless Government takes 'bold action', says BCC

The chance of a V-shaped economic recovery is "remote" and will be increasingly unlikely unless the Government takes "bold action", a business representative body has said. 

Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "With restrictions steadily easing, the second quarter is likely to prove to be the low point for the UK economy.

"However, the prospect of a swift 'V-shaped' recovery remains remote as the recent gains in output may fade over the coming months as the economic damage caused by the pandemic increasingly weighs on activity, particularly as the Government support measures wind down.

"Against this backdrop, bold action is needed to immediately inject confidence back into the UK economy.

"This should include supporting businesses to retain staff through a cut in employer national insurance contributions and targeted support to help businesses placed under local lockdowns."


07:19 AM

Give students confidence they're being 'treated fairly', Labour demands

When asked whether she would expect the Government to apologise for making a late announcement 24 hours before A-level results are due in England, the shadow education secretary said students were more concerned about getting reassurance.

"I think that's fair enough," Kate Green told BBC Breakfast.

"What students and their families and teachers are concerned about is getting a fair assessment process."

She added: "What I think we desperately need is reassurance to students that they will be treated fairly, that their lives will not be damaged by this chaos that we've seen over the last few days in relation to their results.

"And I think that's what students are looking for, confidence that they can get on with their lives, and that the work that they have done, the hard work that they've put in, is going to be properly recognised."

Asked if he was going to apologise for the confusion caused, Nick Gibb, the schools minister, told BBC Breakfast there had been no confusion. 


07:17 AM

'Nobody will be left without hope', says Chancellor, as UK enters recession

Rishi Sunak has pledged that "nobody will be left without hope or opportunity" after figures published today showed the UK has entered another recession, with a record fall in GDP. 

Britain’s economy contracted by 20.4pc during the second quarter, leaving it as the world’s worst-hit major economy.

Responding to the figures, the Chancellor said: “I’ve said before that hard times were ahead, and today’s figures confirm that hard times are here. Hundreds of thousands of people have already lost their jobs, and sadly in the coming months many more will.

“But while there are difficult choices to be made ahead, we will get through this, and I can assure people that nobody will be left without hope or opportunity.”


07:11 AM

Labour attacks Government as UK enters recession with record 20pc drop in GDP

Labour has attacked the Government after the UK entered recession with the deepest drop in GDP ever recorded and one that is relatively worse than other countries are suffering so far.

Britain’s economy contracted by 20.4pc during the second quarter, leaving it as the world’s worst-hit major economy.

Output continued to recover during June, but wasn’t enough to counteract a plunge that put GDP back at levels last seen in 2003.

The figures were broadly in line with expectations, but there is still increased pressure on the Prime Minister and Treasury over plans to wind up the furlough scheme in October. 

Anneliese Dodds, shadow chancellor, said: “We’ve already got the worst excess death rate in Europe – now we’re on course for the worst recession too. That’s a tragedy for the British people and it’s happened on Boris Johnson’s watch. 

“The Prime Minister will say there’s only so much he could do during a global pandemic, but that doesn’t explain why our economy is tanking so badly compared to other countries... A downturn was inevitable after lockdown – but Johnson’s jobs crisis wasn’t."


07:04 AM

Minister defends 11th hour changes to 'robust' exams assessment system

A minister has defended the 11th hour changes to the system for assessing A-Level and GCSE results, saying it was "robust".

Education minister Nick Gibb told Sky News that the changes announced overnight would not affect the vast majority of students who are due to get their results tomorrow and next Thursday.

The changes were aimed to smooth out the "rough edges of this standardisation model" to ensure it did not "disadvantage any pupil".  

He noted it was "not a coincidence" that the change had come on the day Scotland's government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn on its approach, saying ministers "looked very carefully at what was happening in Scotland and we want to make sure no pupil is disadvantaged".

Mr Gibb told Sky News: "I am confident that we have a system in place now that is fair and robust and will enable young people to go on to the next phase of their lives.

"It is a system that is in place that will not lead to inflation to our grade system, so young people can be proud of the qualifications they get tomorrow."


07:00 AM

Retaking exams in October is 'not adequate', says Labour

Giving students the opportunity to retake A-level exams in October is "not an adequate response", shadow education secretary Kate Green said.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Labour MP said: "While it's useful to have as a backstop, there are a couple of concerns with it.

"That will come too late in the day for students who, for example, want to start a college course in September, they won't have their results on time.

"And how are these retakes going to be organised? Schools are already having to make a lot of changes to the school day, to the school premises, to how they organise school when children go back next month because of the need for social distancing.

"So we're still waiting for more information as to how it is that schools will be supported to run these retakes.

"It's important to have them as a backstop, but that is not either an adequate response."


06:56 AM

One in five Channel migrants being intercepted by France

Only one in five migrants who have attempted to cross the Channel have been intercepted by France. 

Speaking after a visit to Paris to try and solve the crisis which has seen a record number of asylum seekers crossing this year, Chris Philp, the immigration minister, said the French authorities were "doing a great deal of work", adding: "They've intercepted well over a thousand people so far this year."

However, the total number of migrants to have made it to the UK in small boats this year is around 4,100 (see graphic below), which suggests only around a fifth are being stopped by the French. In the past few days, more than 600 people have made the journey by boat.

Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the defence select committee, accused the French authorities of "half-heartedness", telling The Telegraph: "The French are unable to cope at the best of times."